Finding an Apartment in Harbin

[sangbhs008]

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker, have found some very useful information here.

I plan on moving to Harbin in Feb, enrolling in HIT's Chinese program, and teaching English on the side. I'd prefer to find and live in my own apartment in Harbin, as I don't want to live in a dorm, and I do not have good experiences living in schools provided by English schools.

However, I have never rented an apartment in China, and have literally no idea where to even begin. Could anyone shed some light on this murky task? Any information about where to begin, who to contact, price ranges, ideal districts, general advice would all be appreciated.

Thanks!

[kdavid]

If you already speak and read Chinese:

http://rent.hrb.soufun.com/

http://hrb.58.com/zufang/

http://haerbin.koubei.com/fang

http://haerbin.hand2hand.cn/L1000,1003P1.html

If you don't already speak and read Chinese, this is going to be a difficult task to do A) alone, and B) from abroad.

As such, your best bet may be to find a school in the area that provides a housing allowance, since you seem to not want provided accommodation.

However, I can tell you from a lot of personal experience that apartment hunting in this city for suitable western-style accommodation is difficult and time consuming, and the last thing that you want to do in the middle of winter.

If you're serious about becoming a teacher, and need quality training, I know of a great TESOL training institute here that provides accommodation during the month of training *cough* *shameless plug* *cough*: www.WillExcelTESOL.com.

This would give you adequate time to find a suitable ESL position, and even visit the school's provided accommodation, or to have your employer's staff help you find your own.

[Ming Taizu]

It might also work to find a cheap 旅馆 near HIT's campus during the transition stage. There are plenty of really affordable places right near the west gate and you can stay there for an extended period of time if need be.

I know of a couple Americans who were able to find an apartment pretty easily. Kdavid obviously has the experience and the inside track, but you should be able to find something. Again, it depends on what you are going for...my buddy just found a place a stone's throw away from HIT for 700 RMB that does the job for him. It's cramped but it has a desk, a bed, a kitchen and a bathroom. He doesn't speak very good Chinese, but was able to get it on his own.

Again, a mediator (like what kdavid suggests) might be the way to go. But, if you are up for an adventure and would like the satisfaction of crawling into your own bed after a busy day of hunting, registering, and moving, I encourage you to try it yourself!

[olayie]

Hi, I have a flat which will be available in Feb. see my post

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/17231-one-bedroom-flat-in-harbin

[Menino80]

One idea is to hit up facebook (probably useless behind the wall) or couchsurfers and see if anybody is willing to put you up for a while or knows somebody that needs a crash mate for a bit, then look once you get there.

[pancake]

If renting an apartment seems a bit daunting, you could enlist the help of http://www.hyccchina.com/. They will charge money for their services, but I know from personal experience that they are very reputable.